The Bosch infotainment system that Suzuki is introducing in several models worldwide creates, according to Bosch, a connected information system that offers a broad range of infotainment and assistance functions aimed at meeting today’s demands for added value.

The system ensures that passengers in Suzuki vehicles can stay in constant contact with the outside world. The 7-inch color touch-screen displays connectivity options including smartphone integration via Mirror Link™ and Apple CarPlay®, advanced map navigation and voice control, a hands-free Bluetooth® system, and music via audio-streaming or “crystal-clear” radio reception with digital radio in Europe. Read more...

“With increasing demand for UBI services from our clients, we strongly believe that mobile solutions will be critical for mass market deployments,” said Agero CEO Dave Ferrick. “The Floow is a leading global player in mobile-based UBI data analytics and services with an impressive record of deployments based on their leading data science and actuarial capabilities. Our collaboration allows us to bring our clients a best-in-class holistic solution that provides a seamless end-to-end experience from driver coaching, to roadside services, to emergency services and accident management.” Read more...

Mopar has launched Mopar® Connect, powered by Autonet Mobile. Mopar Connect is a telematics service that allows customers to control their car from a Smartphone.

In addition to In-Car WiFi the systems offer Alarm Notifications, a find my car feature, Valet Mode, Speed Tracker, Curfew Management, Geo Zones, Parental Controls and the ability to remotely operate the full range of functions normally found on a key fob.

“The demands of the connected driver are rapidly changing,” said Phil Hughes, Autonet Mobile’s President. “Autonet Mobile is excited to power the Mopar® Connect system and include our technology into a full suite of cloud solutions available to Chrysler customers across the country.” Read more...

Agero, Inc. announced its mobile usage based insurance (UBI) platform. The new platform provides a holistic UBI solution by introducing two new mobile applications: PolicyPal, which tracks driving habits in real-time, and Auto Crash Notification (ACN), which automatically notifies emergency services within moments of an accident occurring.

Agero’s mobile telematics platform addresses an important challenge as UBI programs switch from embedded OBDII devices to mobile app and cloud-based solutions. Agero will demonstrate its Mobile Telematics Platform at the Insurance Telematics Conference (booth #19) from September 3-4 in Chicago, where Agero’s Vice President of Product, Julian Bourne, will be a keynote speakers. Read more...

Ernst & Young estimates that 104 million or so new cars are expected to have some form of connectivity by 2025. That’s good news for the large percentage (46%, according to Gartner) of today’s consumers who want their cars connected so they can safely access inside their car the applications they enjoy on their smartphone.

That desire for smartphone-like connectivity in cars extends to automatic or on-demand updates of in-car apps as those updates become available. Receiving accurate and up-to-date information on the drivability of their car – maintenance scheduling, recalls, etc. – is an extra benefit that consumers will, chances are, learn to rely upon. Read more...

As vehicles become an integral part of the Internet of Things, Ford and Intel are researching new opportunities for the connected car, including giving drivers the ability to remotely peer into their car using a smartphone, or a vehicle that could identify its owner using facial recognition software.

The joint research project, called Mobile Interior Imaging, or Project Mobii, explores how interior-facing cameras could be integrated with sensor technology and data already generated within and around the vehicle to create a more personalized and seamless interaction between driver and vehicle that transforms the driving experience. Read more...

Hyundai’s next generation of products, starting with the all-new 2015 Genesis, will allow owners to connect with their vehicle using wearable devices.

Hyundai’s cloud-based Blue Link platform makes features like remote start and service information accessible through new devices like Google Glass.

Wearable devices will help owners save time and add a new level of convenience by allowing remote interaction with the vehicle without the need to pull out their smartphone. Hyundai plans to launch a Blue Link Glassware application next year with the all-new 2015 Genesis sedan. Read more...

More than 20 industry experts will outline their experiences in optimizing vehicle competitiveness, using the latest user data and integrating smartphones with embedded connectivity, at the Smartphone & Embedded Connectivity Vehicle Integration Summit 2014, February 26-27 in San Francisco.

Steffen Neumann, Portfolio Manager App Development Group, Mercedes-Benz R&D North America, will share lessons on overcoming long development cycles to meet customer trends, and will review the latest use cases.

Jake Sigal, CEO of Livio, which was recently acquired by Ford, will speak on overcoming the interoperability challenges faced by app developers, and evaluating customer preferences between smartphones and embedded content. Read more...

The firm said its platform offers carriers looking to enter the usage-based insurance market a cost-effective and quick deployment solution, putting telematics within reach of any size carrier to take advantage of this maturing and growing market segment.

Leveraging smartphones

Driveway Software said it makes entry to the usage-based insurance market affordable and easy by leveraging the insured’s own smartphone to monitor driving behavior and capture data. With the insured’s driving data and preliminary analytics in hand, combined with SmartUBI’s cloud-based analytics capabilities, carriers are better able to determine individual driver risk scores to help make the most informed risk and premium decisions. Read more...

Remote access software provider RealVNC selected 7layers, an international group of engineering & test centers, as its preferred partner for the testing and certification of RealVNC’s VNC Automotive technology in accordance with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standards.

7Layers, an Authorized Test Lab, supported RealVNC throughout the certification process, which included MirrorLink™ conformance and interoperability testing to validate that VNC Automotive meets with the CCC’s commitment to providing users with a safe and seamless experience of smartphone use in vehicles. Read more...